Self-storing Beach Blanket

ABSTRACT

A self-storing beach blanket is formed of flexible material and has an outer surface and an inner surface. A retaining sleeve is centrally located upon the outer surface and forms a continuous loop with an opening at either of an inner edge or an outer edge. A drawstring is is formed as a loop and located within the sleeve. A portion of the drawstring extends outwardly from the opening. A central aperture is sized and shaped to permit introduction of a beach umbrella shaft. A drawstring locking mechanism has a sliding mode and a locking mode and is sized and shaped to prevent entry of the mechanism into the opening in the retaining sleeve. The drawstring is pulled through the mechanism when the mechanism is in the sliding mode and prevented from entering the opening when in the locking mode, thereby controlling a length of the drawstring within the sleeve.

RELATED APPLICATION

The instant application is a non-provisional application and claimspriority to Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/874,251 filed Sep. 5,201.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of outdoor ground coverings and morespecifically to a compact beach blanket with integral storage system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Beach blankets are typically recycled household blankets or bedspreadsthat have seen better days and have been related to outdoor use at thebeach or picnic grounds. Such coverings tend to be heavy, easily absorbdirt and moisture and must be folded for storage and transport. Thepresent invention addresses these shortcomings by providing a beachblanket that is lightweight, dirt and moisture resistant and providesits own storage container. Some examples of self-storing beach blanketsystems and related inventions include the following.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,654,906, issued to Roberts, is directed to a beachblanket having rectangular shape and four corners has a right triangularpocket at each corner to receive and temporarily hold a quantity of sandfor anchoring the blanket, the pockets being closable to secure the sandtherein and openable for discharge of the sand.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,709,430, issued to Nicoll is directed to a Amulti-purpose weighted blanket for covering areas of beaches or liketerrain comprising first and second flexible cloth panels substantiallyrectangular in shape and identical in size. The first and second clothpanels having a border extending continuously along the outer perimeteredges thereof forming a reinforced retaining pocket for securing ananchoring device thereto. The anchoring device includes a non-metallictube filled with a liquid weight such as water. The non-metallic tubehas a memory for restoring the tube to its original configuration uponthe removal of an external force acting thereon. The anchoring devicesoperates to aid an individual in positioning the blanket as well asmaintaining the blanket in its fully extended position. Additionally,the anchoring device prevents foreign particles such as sand or the likefrom soiling the reclining surface of the blanket.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,299,331, issued to Badillo illustrates a beach blanketassembly includes a beach blanket, an inflatable beach bumper, and amultiplicity of stakes. The beach blanket has a central portion and asurrounding peripheral border wherein the peripheral border is held in asupported generally upright position by the stakes and the inflatablebeach bumper. The stakes each have a lower end portion which is embeddedin the beach surface and an upper end portion which abuts the inflatablebeach bumper. The upper end portions are further releasably attached tothe peripheral border of the beach blanket. A multiplicity of fastenertype hook and loop material patches permits the peripheral border of theblanket to be releasably attachable to the inflatable bumper. Analternative embodiment of the present beach blanket assembly includes abeach blanket and a multiplicity of stakes which are shaped andconfigured to support the entire peripheral border of the beach blanketabove the beach surface as well as securely anchor the beach blanket tothe beach surface.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,951,333, issued to Kaiser is directed to aself-supporting beach blanket having two layers of fabric joined attheir edges with a single spring steel hoop inside sized to hold theblanket open and flat on the ground. The hoop is compressible so that itcan be removed through a small slit in the side allowing the blanket tobe machine washed.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,226,813, issued to Wilburn is directed to a system foranchoring an outer periphery of a beach blanket to the ground or sand isdisclosed. The blanket is anchored by a plurality of stakes which aremanually insertable into the ground. A tether fastens the stake to theouter periphery of the blanket so that the stakes are not separated fromthe blanket when not in use.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,264,471, issued to Glenn discloses a beach blanketcomprising, a base layer of canvas, one end of the base layer beingfolded back upon itself longitudinally, spaced parallel lines ofstitching connecting the side edges of the folded portion to the sideedges of the base layer, a line of stitching parallel with and midwaybetween the first named lines of stitching connecting the folded portioncentrally to the base layer from the free edge of the folded portion tothe folded end of the base layer, said lines of stitching forming twoopen pockets, fasteners removably securing the free edges of the pocketsto the base layer, and a towel detachably connected to the base layer onthe same face thereof as the pockets and extending from a point adjacentthe pockets to the extreme opposite end of the base layer.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,261,131, issued to Kilby discloses a beach blanketincludes a central fabric web, having a plurality of perimeter flapmembers defining individual pockets thereabout, with the flap membersarranged to accommodate various portions of a granular materialtherewithin for securement of a beach blanket relative to an underlyingbeach surface.

It is an objective of the present invention to provide a beach blanketthat is compact, light-weight and resistant to dirt and moisture. It isa further objective to provide a beach blanket that provides its owncontainer for transport and storage. It is a still further objective ofthe invention to provide a beach blanket that can be rapidly put inplace and quickly stored. It is yet a further objective to provide sucha system that provides a beach blanket from which sand and dirt can beeasily and quickly removed. Finally, it is an objective of the presentinvention to provide a beach blanket that is durable and inexpensive tomanufacture.

While some of the objectives of the present invention are disclosed inthe prior art, none of the inventions found include all of therequirements identified.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses all of the deficiencies of prior artself-storing beach blankets and satisfies all of the objectivesdescribed above.

(1) A self-storing beach blanket providing the desired features may beconstructed from the following components. A blanket portion isprovided. The blanket portion is formed of flexible material and has anouter surface and an inner surface. A retaining sleeve is provided. Thesleeve is centrally located upon the outer surface and forms acontinuous loop. The loop has an opening at either of an inner edge oran outer edge. A drawstring is provided. The drawstring is formed as aloop and located within the sleeve. A portion of the drawstring extendsoutwardly from the opening.

(2) In a variant of the invention, a central aperture is provided. Theaperture is sized and shaped to permit introduction of a beach umbrellashaft.

(3) In another variant, a drawstring locking mechanism is provided. Themechanism has a sliding mode and a locking mode and is sized and shapedto prevent entry of the mechanism into the opening in the retainingsleeve. The drawstring is pulled through the mechanism when in thesliding mode and prevented from entering the opening when in the lockingmode, thereby controlling a length of the drawstring within theretaining sleeve.

(4) In still another variant, the mechanism includes a spring-loadedcylinder having a transverse aperture. The transverse aperture is sizedand shaped to fit slidably about the loop of the drawstring. Themechanism has a cinching portion with a matching transverse aperture.The cinching portion is adapted to slide within the cylinder and securethe cylinder to the drawstring through action of a spring urging thecinching portion outwardly from the cylinder.

(5) In yet another variant, the retaining sleeve is formed as part of areinforcing panel centrally located upon the blanket portion.

(6) In a further variant, the blanket portion is circular.

(7) In a final variant of the invention, at least one of the blanketportion and reinforcing panel is formed of moisture resistant material.

(8) A method of using self-storing beach blanket includes the steps of:

-   providing beach blanket that includes:    -   a blanket portion formed of flexible material and having an        outer surface and an inner surface;    -   a retaining sleeve centrally located upon the outer surface and        forming a continuous loop, the loop having an opening at either        of an inner edge or an outer edge;    -   a drawstring formed as a loop and located within the sleeve with        a portion of the drawstring extending outwardly from the        opening; and    -   a drawstring locking mechanism that has a sliding mode and a        locking mode and is sized and shaped to prevent entry of the        mechanism into the opening in the retaining sleeve;-   moving the locking mechanism to the sliding mode, thereby releasing    the drawstring;-   stretching the blanket portion away from the retaining sleeve and    extending the blanket portion to its full extent, whereby the    blanket portion is usable as a beach blanket;-   moving the locking mechanism to the locking mode; and subsequently-   inverting the beach blanket to remove sand and debris;-   gathering the blanket portion within an inner perimeter of the    retaining sleeve;-   moving the locking mechanism to the sliding mode;-   pulling the drawstring to tighten the retaining sleeve around the    blanket portion;

moving the locking mechanism to the locking mode, thereby forming acompact bundle for transporting and storage of the beach blanket.

An appreciation of the other aims and objectives of the presentinvention and an understanding of it may be achieved by referring to theaccompanying drawings and the detailed description of a preferredembodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of theinvention illustrating a location of a retaining sleeve and drawstring;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the drawstring;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the FIG. 1 embodiment illustrating folding ofthe blanket;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, partial section of the receiving sleeveillustrating the drawstring within the retaining sleeve;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the blanket being stored within thecenter section bounded by the retaining sleeve;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the stored FIG. 1 embodiment with thedrawstring in tightened position;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a drawstring locking mechanism forthe FIG. 1 embodiment in the locking mode; and

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a drawstring locking mechanism forthe FIG. 1 embodiment in the sliding mode.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(1) FIGS. 1-8 illustrate a self-storing beach blanket 10 providing thedesired features that may be constructed from the following components.A blanket portion 14 is provided. The blanket portion 14 is formed offlexible material 18 and has an outer surface 22 and an inner surface26. A retaining sleeve 30 is provided. The sleeve 30 is centrallylocated upon the outer surface 22 and forms a continuous loop 34. Theloop 34 has an opening 38 at either of an inner edge 42 or an outer edge46. A drawstring 50 is provided. The drawstring 50 is formed as a loop54 and located within the sleeve 30. A portion 58 of the drawstring 50extends outwardly from the opening 38. See FIGS. 2 and 4.

(2) In a variant of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 3, a centralaperture 62 is provided. The aperture 62 is sized and shaped to permitintroduction of a beach umbrella shaft (not shown).

(3) In another variant, as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 7 and 8, a drawstringlocking mechanism 66 is provided. The mechanism 66 has a sliding mode 70and a locking mode 74 and is sized and shaped to prevent entry of themechanism 66 into the opening 38 in the retaining sleeve 30. Thedrawstring 50 is pulled through the mechanism 66 when in the slidingmode 70 and prevented from entering the opening 38 when in the lockingmode 74, thereby controlling a length 78 of the drawstring 50 within theretaining sleeve 30.

(4) In still another variant, the mechanism 66 includes a spring-loadedcylinder 82 having a transverse aperture 86. The transverse aperture issized and shaped to fit slidably about the loop of the drawstring. Themechanism 66 has a cinching portion 90 with a matching transverseaperture 94. The cinching portion 90 is adapted to slide within thecylinder 82 and secure the cylinder 82 to the drawstring 50 throughaction of a spring 98 urging the cinching portion 90 outwardly from thecylinder 82.

(5) In yet another variant, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the retainingsleeve 30 is formed as part of a reinforcing panel 102 centrally locatedupon the blanket portion 14.

(6) In a further variant, the blanket portion 14 is circular.

(7) In a final variant of the invention, at least one of the blanketportion 14 and reinforcing panel 102 is formed of moisture resistantmaterial 106.

(8) A method of using self-storing beach blanket 10, as illustrated inFIGS. 3, 5 and 6, includes the steps of:

-   providing beach blanket 10 that includes:    -   a blanket portion 14 formed of flexible material 18 and having        an outer surface 22 and an inner surface 26;    -   a retaining sleeve 30 centrally located upon the outer surface        22 and forming a continuous loop 34, the loop 34 having an        opening 38 at either of an inner edge 42 or an outer edge 46;    -   a drawstring 50 formed as a loop 54 and located within the        sleeve 30 with a portion 58 of the drawstring 50 extending        outwardly from the opening 38; and    -   a drawstring locking mechanism 66 that has a sliding mode 70 and        a locking mode 74 and is sized and shaped to prevent entry of        the mechanism 66 into the opening 38 in the retaining sleeve 30;-   moving the locking mechanism 66 to the sliding mode 70, thereby    releasing the drawstring 50;-   stretching the blanket portion 14 away from the retaining sleeve 30    and extending the blanket portion 14 to its full extent, whereby the    blanket portion 14 is usable as a beach blanket 10;-   moving the locking mechanism 66 to the locking mode 74; and    subsequently-   inverting the beach blanket 10 to remove sand (not shown) and debris    (not shown);-   gathering the blanket portion 14 within an inner perimeter 110 of    the retaining sleeve 30;-   moving the locking mechanism 66 to the sliding mode 70;-   pulling the drawstring 50 to tighten the retaining sleeve 30 around    the blanket portion 14;-   moving the locking mechanism 66 to the locking mode 74, thereby    forming a compact bundle 114 for transporting and storage of the    beach blanket 10.

The self-storing beach blanket 10 has been described with reference toparticular embodiments. Other modifications and enhancements can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the claims that follow.

1. A self-storing beach blanket comprising: a blanket portion, said blanket portion being formed of flexible material and having an outer surface and an inner surface; a retaining sleeve, said sleeve being centrally disposed upon said outer surface and forming a continuous loop, said loop having an opening at either of an inner edge and an outer edge; and a drawstring, said drawstring being formed as a loop and disposed within said sleeve, a portion of said drawstring extending outwardly from said opening.
 2. The self-storing beach blanket, as described in claim 1, further comprising a central aperture, said aperture being sized and shaped to permit introduction of a beach umbrella shaft.
 3. The self-storing beach blanket, as described in claim 1, further comprising a drawstring locking mechanism, said mechanism having a sliding mode and a locking mode and being sized and shaped to prevent entry of said mechanism into said opening in said retaining sleeve, wherein said drawstring is pulled through said mechanism when in said sliding mode and prevented from entering said opening when in said locking mode, thereby controlling a length of said drawstring within the retaining sleeve.
 4. The self-storing beach blanket, as described in claim 3, wherein said mechanism comprises a spring-loaded cylinder having a transverse aperture, said transverse aperture being sized and shaped to fit slidably about said loop of said drawstring, said mechanism having a cinching portion with a matching transverse aperture, said cinching portion adapted to slide within said cylinder and secure said cylinder to said drawstring through action of a spring urging said cinching portion outwardly from said cylinder.
 5. The self-storing beach blanket, as described in claim 1, wherein said retaining sleeve is formed as part of a reinforcing panel centrally disposed upon said blanket portion.
 6. The self-storing beach blanket, as described in claim 1, wherein said blanket portion is circular.
 7. The self-storing beach blanket, as described in claim 5, wherein at least one of said blanket portion and reinforcing panel is formed of moisture resistant material.
 8. A method of using self-storing beach blanket comprising the steps of: providing beach blanket comprising: a blanket portion, said blanket portion being formed of flexible material and having an outer surface and an inner surface; a retaining sleeve, said sleeve being centrally disposed upon said outer surface and forming a continuous loop, said loop having an opening at either of an inner edge and an outer edge; a drawstring, said drawstring being formed as a loop and disposed within said sleeve, a portion of said drawstring extending outwardly from said opening; and a drawstring locking mechanism, said mechanism having a sliding mode and a locking mode and being sized and shaped to prevent entry of said mechanism into said opening in said retaining sleeve; moving said locking mechanism to said sliding mode, thereby releasing said drawstring; stretching said blanket portion away from said retaining sleeve and extending said blanket portion to its full extent, whereby said blanket portion is usable as a beach blanket; moving said locking mechanism to said locking mode; and subsequently inverting said beach blanket to remove sand and debris; gathering said blanket portion within an inner perimeter of said retaining sleeve; moving said locking mechanism to said sliding mode; pulling said drawstring to tighten said retaining sleeve around said blanket portion; moving said locking mechanism to said locking mode, thereby forming a compact bundle for transporting and storage of said beach blanket. 